The system was 295km north-northeast of Darwin at 5pm on Saturday and moving southwest at 14 km/h with the possibility it would pass close to Darwin today.

The bureau said wind gusts of up to 110 km/h were expected along with tides significantly above normal high tide, which could trigger damaging waves and flooding.

Mr Dowd urged residents to remove or secure any loose items around homes.

Heavy rain and squalls were likely to develop over the Tiwi and Croker islands and the Cobourg Peninsula on Saturday night, extending to the western Top End during Sunday and to the Kimberley region tonight or Monday.